Barcelona, 10 April 2025 - As part of the Philippine Consulate General’s ongoing celebration of National Literature Month, the vibrant Raval neighborhood—home to many Filipinos in Barcelona—once again became a hub for intercultural exchange through “Poems That Bring Us Closer”, a literary initiative led by Casa Asia in partnership with the Comerç Divers project of Ciutat Vella District.

Bringing together voices from across the community, the event featured poetry readings in Filipino, Catalan, Chinese, Urdu, Bangla, and Japanese. Students from local high schools, merchants from various cultural backgrounds, and members of the Filipino choir Coro Kudyapi participated, highlighting Raval’s rich linguistic and cultural tapestry.

A standout moment was the reading of “Salamin ng Buhay” by Filipino poet Jose Corazon de Jesus, delivered in Filipino by Ms. Badeth Ramos and translated into Spanish by Ms. Antonette Genesis Decano Rafanan. The event was hosted at the LBC Express branch in Ciutat Vella and attended by representatives from Barcelona City Hall, Casa Asia, Kn60Lab, and the local commerce office.

Beyond poetry, participants shared migration stories and reflections on the featured poets, creating deeper connections among neighbors and reinforcing the unifying power of literature. Events like these underscore the vital role of cultural storytelling in fostering mutual understanding and community cohesion.

For media inquiries and further information, please contact:
The Philippine Consulate General in Barcelona
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Antonette Genesis Rafanan reads the Spanish translation of the Filipino poem “Salamin ng Buhay” (photo courtesy of the Ayuntamiento de Barcelona)

Seated in the background from left to right are Ms. Badeth Ramos, Dr. Arnel German Lamorena Districte de Ciutat Vella Filipino community cultural mediator and Ms. Antonette Genesis Rafanan (photo courtesy of Mr. Rogelio Rafanan)

Some of the attendees to the poetry reading (photo courtesy of Mr. Rogelio Rafanan)